Sumter County, South Carolina facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sumter County
U.S. county
Sumter County Courthouse
Flag Seal Logo
Nickname(s):  The Gamecock County
Location within the U.S. state of South Carolina
South Carolina's location within the U.S.
Country	United States
State	South Carolina
Founded	January 1, 1800
Named for	Thomas Sumter
Seat	Sumter
Largest community	Sumter
Area
• Total	682.09 sq mi (1,766.6 km2)
• Land	665.08 sq mi (1,722.5 km2)
• Water	17.01 sq mi (44.1 km2)  2.49%
Population  (2020)
• Total	105,556
• Estimate  (2023)	104,165
• Density	158.71/sq mi (61.28/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts	5th, 6th

Sumter County is a county located in the state of South Carolina. In 2020, about 105,556 people lived there. The main city and government center of the county is Sumter.

Sumter County is part of the larger Sumter, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area. This area is also connected to the Columbia-Sumter-Orangeburg, SC Combined Statistical Area. The county is also known as part of "The Midlands" region of South Carolina.

A very important place in Sumter County is Shaw AFB. This base is home to the 9th Air Force and AFCENT. It also hosts United States Army Central and many other military units. It is one of the biggest bases in the USAF's Air Combat Command.

On September 17, 2024, the National Park Service announced that both the City of Sumter and Sumter County were named a World War II Heritage City. This means they played a special role in supporting the country during World War II.

History of Sumter County

Statue of Thomas Sumter on the Sumter County Courthouse lawn in Sumter

Sumter County was first created in 1798 as Sumter District. It was formed from parts of three older counties: Clarendon, Claremont, and Salem Counties. The county was named after General Thomas Sumter, a hero from the American Revolutionary War. The new district officially started in 1800.

Sadly, in 1801, the building where the county's important records were kept burned down. This fire destroyed many of the original documents from the three counties that formed Sumter District. Because of this, we learn about the early history of these areas from old family records and government papers.

In 1855, a new law was passed to divide Sumter District. This law created Clarendon District again, using its old boundaries. This change officially happened in 1857. At that time, a part of northeastern Sumter District was also separated.

In 1868, Sumter District gained more local control and was renamed Sumter County. This change happened under the 1868 Constitution of South Carolina.

Later, in 1898, a part of northwestern Sumter County was used to create a new Lee County. However, this creation was found to be against the law in 1899. Then, in 1902, a larger northern part of Sumter County was legally separated to form most of the current Lee County. Some of this land was returned to Sumter County in 1914.

Finally, in 1921, Sumter County gained a section of land from Clarendon County in the south. A small part of this land was returned in 1922. These changes set up the current borders of Sumter County as we know them today.

Geography of Sumter County

Sumter County covers a total area of about 682 square miles. Most of this area, about 665 square miles, is land. The remaining 17 square miles, or about 2.5%, is water.

The county's land is watered by the Black River and its smaller streams. The western edge of the county is formed by the Wateree River. One of South Carolina's most famous areas, the High Hills of Santee, is located in the western part of Sumter County. Sumter County is also one of five counties that touch Lake Marion. This large lake is sometimes called South Carolina's "Inland Sea."

Counties Nearby

Sumter County shares its borders with several other counties:

• Lee County to the north
• Florence County to the northeast
• Clarendon County to the south
• Calhoun County to the southwest
• Richland County to the west
• Kershaw County to the northwest

Population and People

The population of Sumter County has changed over many years. Here is a look at how the number of people living in the county has grown or changed over time:

What the 2020 Census Shows

In 2020, the U.S. Census counted 105,556 people living in Sumter County. There were 44,105 households and 29,777 families.

The population of Sumter County is made up of different groups of people:

What the 2010 Census Showed

According to the 2010 United States Census, there were 107,456 people living in the county. The population density was about 161.6 people per square mile.

About 48.2% of the people were white, and 46.9% were Black or African American. About 3.3% of the population was of Hispanic or Latino background.

In 2010, the average age of people in Sumter County was 35.4 years old. About 19.4% of the population lived below the poverty line. This included about 29.1% of children under 18.

Economy and Jobs

In 2022, the total value of all goods and services produced in Sumter County, known as the GDP, was about $5 billion. This shows the economic activity in the county.

As of April 2024, some of the largest employers in Sumter County include:

• Becton Dickinson
• Central Carolina Technical College
• The city of Sumter
• Continental AG
• The United States Department of Defense (which includes Shaw Air Force Base)
• Eaton Corporation
• SKF
• JCPenney
• Pilgrim's Pride
• Prisma Health
• Speedway
• Walmart

These companies and organizations provide many jobs for the people living in Sumter County.

Education in Sumter County

All schools in Sumter County are part of the Sumter County Consolidated School District. This district manages public education for students in the area.

In addition to public schools, the University of South Carolina Sumter is also located in the county. This university offers higher education opportunities for students.

Communities in Sumter County

Sumter County has several different types of communities:

Cities

• Sumter (This is the main city and where the county government is located.)

Towns

• Mayesville
• Pinewood

Census-Designated Places (CDPs)

These are areas that are like towns but are not officially incorporated as cities or towns.

• Cane Savannah
• Cherryvale
• Dalzell
• East Sumter
• Lakewood
• Millwood
• Mulberry
• Oakland
• Oswego
• Privateer
• Rembert
• Shiloh
• South Sumter
• Stateburg

Unincorporated Communities

These are smaller communities that are not officially part of a city or town.

• Horatio
• Wedgefield

Famous People from Sumter County

Many notable people have connections to Sumter County:

• Ray Allen, a famous NBA basketball player.
• Richard H. Anderson, a lieutenant general in the Confederate army during the American Civil War.
• Mary McLeod Bethune, a very important civil rights activist, educator, and founder of the National Council of Negro Women. She was born to parents who had been enslaved.
• William Ellison, a formerly enslaved person who became a successful businessman in Stateburg.
• David DuBose Gaillard, an engineer who helped build the central part of the Panama Canal.
• Sarah Ann Haynsworth Gayle (1804–1835), known for her personal diary.
• Richard Irvine Manning I, the 50th governor of South Carolina.
• Richard Irvine Manning III, the 92nd governor of South Carolina.
• George L. Mabry, Jr., a major general and a highly decorated soldier from WWII, who received the Congressional Medal of Honor.
• Slomon Moody, a doctor, farmer, and city treasurer in Ocala, Florida.
• Franklin J. Moses Jr., who served as Governor of South Carolina from 1872 to 1874.
• Ja Morant, an NBA basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies.
• Bill Pinkney, a singer and member of the famous music group The Drifters.
• Freddie Solomon, an NFL wide receiver.
• Angelica Singleton Van Buren, the daughter-in-law of President Martin Van Buren, who served as acting first lady during his presidency.

See also

In Spanish: Condado de Sumter (Carolina del Sur) para niños